Evaluation of electrical properties of poly(NIPA-co-St) composites containing neodymium and yttrium

In this study, firstly, to obtain neodymium (Nd) and yttrium (Y)-containing composite materials, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-copolymer-styrene) (poly(NIPA-co-St)) copolymer was synthesized by free radical polymerization method using N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and styrene (St) monomers. Secondly, new composite materials were obtained by adding neodymium and yttrium to this copolymer at different weight ratios (10% and 20%). Structural and morphological characterizations of poly(NIPA-co-St) copolymer, poly(NIPA-co-St)-10%Nd, poly(NIPA-co-St)-20%Nd, poly(NIPA-co-St)-10%Y and poly(NIPA-co-St)-20%Y composite materials were carried out. The electrical properties of the copolymer and composite materials were evaluated by considering the frequency dependence of the dielectric constant (έ), dielectric loss (ε″) and electrical conductivity (σac) properties. At 100 Hz, the έ, ε″, and σac values of the copolymer were 5.12, 0.05, and 2.29 × 10−10 S/cm, respectively. With the addition of 10% Nd, the έ, ε″, and σac values at 100 Hz were calculated as 6.57, 0.10, and 1.79 × 10−9 S/cm, respectively, while with the addition of 20% Nd, these values were calculated as 8.39, 0.15, and 4.78 × 10−8 S/cm at 100 Hz. With the addition of 10% Y, the έ, ε″, and σac values at 100 Hz were calculated as 6.56, 0.053, and 1.81 × 10−9 S/cm, respectively, while with the addition of 20% Y, these values were calculated as 8.57, 0.0058, and 3.70 × 10−8 S/cm at 100 Hz. It can be stated that as the amount of Nd and Y additives to the poly(NIPA-co-St) copolymer increases, the έ, ε″, and σac values increase, indicating an improvement in electrical properties with the addition of Nd and Y elements.